Control lever and actuation device of a bicycle gearshift of the bar-end type

Abstract

The control lever ( 120 ) comprises a substantially cylindrical body ( 130 ) for mounting in the actuation device ( 100 ) and an arm ( 140 ), which projects with respect to the body ( 130 ) according to a main axis (A) substantially tangential to the upper part of the body ( 130 ) and is intended to face forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle. The arm ( 140 ) comprises a first upper pressure area ( 141 ), concave and adjacent to the body ( 130 ), and a second lower pressure area ( 142 ), remote from the body ( 130 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A control lever, configured for use in an actuation device of a bar-end type bicycle gearshift, wherein the actuation device is adapted to be mounted at one end of a respective one of a pair of handlebars facing forwards in a forward travel direction of a bicycle, the control lever comprising a substantially cylindrical body for mounting in the actuation device and a cantilevered arm, which projects from the body in a direction of a main axis (A), said main axis (A) is defined substantially tangential to an upper part of the body and in an upper quadrant of the body that is defined with reference to a rotation axis (T) of the control lever so the cantilevered arm faces forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and is located entirely below the main axis (A) and entirely above the rotation axis (T) in a rest position, the cantilevered arm comprising an upper first pressure area, that is concave and adjacent to a projection point of the cantilevered arm from the body, and a lower second pressure area at a free end portion of the cantilevered arm. 
     
     
       2. The control lever according to  claim 1 , comprising a lower third pressure area, which is concave, between the body and the lower second pressure area. 
     
     
       3. The control lever of  claim 2 , wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end of the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the casing about the axis (T). 
     
     
       4. The control lever according to  claim 2  wherein the lower second pressure area is placed a greater distance from the main axis (A) than the upper first and lower third pressure areas. 
     
     
       5. The control lever of  claim 4 , wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end of the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the casing about the axis (T). 
     
     
       6. The control lever according to  claim 4 , comprising an upper fourth pressure area, remote from the body. 
     
     
       7. The control lever of  claim 6 , wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end of the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the casing about the axis (T). 
     
     
       8. The control lever according to  claim 6  wherein the lower second pressure area is placed a greater distance from the main axis (A) than the first, third or fourth pressure areas. 
     
     
       9. The control lever of  claim 8 , wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end of the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the casing. 
     
     
       10. The control lever according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper fourth pressure area is concave. 
     
     
       11. The control lever of  claim 10 , wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end of the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the casing about the axis (T). 
     
     
       12. The control lever according to  claim 2 , wherein the concavity of the lower third pressure area is deeper on one side than on the other, with respect to the main axis (A) of the arm. 
     
     
       13. The control lever of  claim 12  wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end of the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the casing about the axis (T). 
     
     
       14. The control lever according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower second pressure area is substantially flat. 
     
     
       15. The control lever according to  claim 1  wherein the lower second pressure area is placed a greater distance from the main axis (A) than the first or third pressure areas. 
     
     
       16. The control lever of  claim 15 , wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the casing about the axis (T). 
     
     
       17. The control lever according to  claim 1 , wherein the concavity of the upper first pressure area is deeper on one side than on the other, with respect to the main axis (A) of the arm. 
     
     
       18. The control lever of  claim 17 , wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end of the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the casing about the axis (T). 
     
     
       19. The control lever of  claim 1 , wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end of the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the casing about the axis (T). 
     
     
       20. The control lever according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the arm, in a plan view, is tapered going away from the body about the axis (T). 
     
     
       21. The control lever according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm has an end remote from the body inclined, both with respect to the main axis (A) of the arm, and with respect to a direction perpendicular to the main axis (A). 
     
     
       22. The control lever according to  claim 1 , further comprising a casing upon which the body of the control lever is mounted asymmetrically and laterally displaced with respect to the main axis (A) of the arm. 
     
     
       23. The control lever of  claim 1 , wherein the lever is provided in each of a pair of the actuation devices having a casing adapted to be mounted at each respective end of the bicycle handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel of the bicycle and each of the actuation devices is mounted asymmetrically at its respective end. 
     
     
       24. The control lever according to  claim 23  further comprising a lower third pressure area, which is concave, between the body and the lower second pressure area. 
     
     
       25. The control lever according to  claim 24  wherein the concavity of the lower third pressure area is deeper on one side than on the other, with respect to the main axis (A) of the arm. 
     
     
       26. A control lever for an actuation device of a bicycle end-bar gearshift that is mountable at either end of a set of handlebars with the control lever facing a bicycle's forward travel direction, the control lever comprising:
 a substantially cylindrical body that has a main axis (A) defined substantially tangential to an upper part of the body and extending in the forward direction of travel and is configured for mounting in the actuation device and a cantilevered arm, which projects from the body in the forward direction of the travel and projects from the body in a direction of the main axis (A), and is located entirely below the main axis (A) and entirely above a rotation axis (T) of the control lever in a rest position; the arm including an upper first pressure area that is concave and adjacent to a connection point of the cantilevered arm to the body, and a lower second pressure area at a free end portion of the cantilevered arm.